[Macworld.com]

Count Jim Dalrymple among the crowd that can’t imagine how they ever made do without a BlackBerry handheld. [more]

[jldinsdale]

Jim, how exactly do you pull off using iChat with the blackberry? That's the one feature i would love to incorporate with mine, but haven't had the time to figure it out.
Thanks,
JL

[longterm]

Having been a Treo user now for six months or so, I have to say that reception on my 650 is easily as good as my previous cell phones. My only problem with this report is that it leaves readers with the impression that the Treo has poor phone reception.
I love my Treo; I've had several discussions with Blackberry users who have told me that the only reason they have a Blackberry over the Treo was because their company mandated it. Now that there is a Treo model that runs Windows Mobile (I shudder at the thought of a cell phone that runs a M$ operating system), I would expect that you'll see more and more corporate types with Treos instead of the Blackberry... but that's just one guy's opinion.
Bob

[Diomedes]

Jim,
You are only tapping part of the Blackberry's usefulness when you have to do a desktop sync.
Organizations who use IBM Domino or Exchange (which comprise 95% of corporate America), there is NO desktop synchronization needed with the Enterprise Connector. Everything contacts, mail, tasks are synchronized wirelessly. You can manage meetings and tasks almost as seamlessly as if you were at your desk. And if that weren't enough, you can still have mail from other accounts send to the device. In addition to my enterprise data, my .Mac and GMail messages all get sent to the device.
Enterprise activation also enables the Blackberry Browser, a much more capable one then the default. I am lucky enough to have a 8700c, and it's become a necessary part of my job.

[Nobody]

Beware the current version of PocketMac for Blackberry. Long notes in Address Book (ie. over 1 page) are deleted from your Address book after multiple sync's with your Blackberry. This is an acknowledged bug, although it is not mentioned anywhere on the PocketMac website. I had to learn the hard way, and hope this helps someone else avoid losing data. The PocketMac team says an update will fix this in the next 3-4 weeks.

[MacTel]

The Treo with MS ActiveSync is an excellent alternative whether with Palm OS or Windows Mobile. It's not quite the Blackberry with the backend Blackberry Server solution but it is getting there. At work we're a Windows shop so we have Exchange and it does everything that I need it for. It would be nice if Apple had a solution all their our with their Mail app. Maybe the need vPod with wireless tech has a 3G phone built and a mobile mail app that rivals both Blackberry and the MS ActiveSync solutions. One can only wish! /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[lhudd]

you can download a copy of AOL instant messenger for the blackberry. I'm assuming it would work with the .MAC iCHat accounts.

[neilk2350]

the treo 650 is an unmitigated disaster. i have never had a device crash more. i've wiped it clean and reinstalled diffent configurations updated the firmware everything. whenever i need it it crashes. i'm going blackberry.

[Jim Dalrymple]

There are two apps that I tried that work with my AIM name: Ramble IM (free) and VeriChat ($). Both work well for me. The other thing you can do if you have an AIM name is login to the AIM Web site and turn on IM forwarding -- it will show your status as Mobile when on the BlackBerry and IMs will come in as text messages.
That's not optimal for sending, but at least you'll be available.
Jim

[Jim Dalrymple]

In reply to:

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you can download a copy of AOL instant messenger for the blackberry. I'm assuming it would work with the .MAC iCHat accounts.

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I looked everywhere for a copy of this and couldn't find it.

[Jim Dalrymple]

In reply to:

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My only problem with this report is that it leaves readers with the impression that the Treo has poor phone reception.

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That was my experience exactly. As another reader posted, it seemed that everytime I needed the Treo it would just crash. I'm sure there are some people that love their Treos, but it just doesn't work as good as the BlackBerry.

[Jim Dalrymple]

In reply to:

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You are only tapping part of the Blackberry's usefulness when you have to do a desktop sync.

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I would love to try out some of those features, but we don't use Domino or Exchange. I'll have to look into it anyway and see what can be set up.
What's new in the BlackBerry Browser?

[launch_pad]

I asked this in another thread and did not get any resonses, so I apologize for the duplicate.
I am confused about the potential workaround. If this workaround requires a software update, what are Mac users to do? Yes, I can sync to my Mac with PocketMac software, but this software does not allow me to download and install system updates. Since RIM does not offer a desktop manager software program for Mac, I have never been able to download a software update from my provider.
Do you think I need to invest in a cheap PC or Virtual PC software in order to keep my Blackberry operational? I have looked at the information on Blackberry's site, but it is not clear to me how the workaround will be distributed, as a download to the PC or as a download direct to the device over the network.

[Peter Cohen]

In reply to:

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I looked everywhere for a copy of this and couldn't find it.

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AIM for Mobile is, as far as I know, entirely dependent on specific agreements that AOL has made with specific carriers. The AIM Web site asks you to tell it which carrier and which phone you're using, and then it will give you the download link. If you're using a Blackberry phone model from a provider AIM hasn't specifically listed, then you're probably S.O.L.